How Spring Cleaning can Help You Save Big

Whether you’re cleaning for Passover or just gearing up for some spring cleaning, this is the season where you can find a significant percent of Americans compulsively cleaning their homes. But if you’re not quite excited about cleaning your home, you’re not alone – and you’re not wrong in thinking that there are many more exciting activities to pursue. Still, there are plenty of reasons to start spring cleaning now, including these 6 financial incentives.

Find lost money. Aside from the spare change that you’re bound to find when you flip your couch cushions, there’s always a chance that you’ll find real dollars stuffed into some pockets, at the bottom of your closet or…in the cookie jar.

Get a tax deduction. During the course of your spring cleaning, you’ll inevitably find things that you don’t want or need anymore. Drop them off at your local clothing donation point, and you can get a tax deduction that will translate into real savings when next year’s tax season comes.

Save money on cleaning help. Once you’re in the cleaning spirit, it’ll be easy for you to wipe down the bathroom counter, sweep the floor and fold the laundry. Why not put in a little extra effort, and give your cleaning help the week or day off? Think of how much money you can save!

Rediscover older clothing. Imagine how you’ll feel when you can skip the shopping this spring because you’ve found hidden treasures in your own closet? And if you can’t skip it entirely, you can surely reduce the amount of new clothing you purchase because you’ll realize that you probably have enough already.

Hold (or attend) a swap meet. In my community, swap meets are held annually in April so that friends, neighbors and strangers can make the most of their gently used items. If you can’t (or don’t want to) donate your extraneous items, why not attend a swap meet to see if you can trade them in for things that you can use?

Sell old items. Believe it or not, I have a neighbor who made a few hundred dollars this week just by selling her children’s old toys and books. It’s almost as if she was paid to clean out her playroom! If you have children’s toys, books, games, home décor items or other things that you’re not using anymore, you may be surprised at how much other people are willing to pay for them.